Sonny not sharp in final spring start

ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com

WINTER HAVEN – Andy Sonnanstine grew up a fan of the Cleveland Indians so you would think starting the final game at Chain O’Lakes Park would have been a big deal for the Rays right-hander.

“I don’t know,” he said.

OK.

Sonnanstine, the Rays No. 3 starter, struggled during his four innings Thursday in the Rays 9-7, 10-inning victory against the Indians. He allowed five hits and four runs, all of which game on a grand slam by Andy Gonzalez in the fourth inning.

“I didn’t have my control,” Sonnanstine said. “I’m not sure (why). Maybe it was just one of those days.”

Sonnanstine said he had trouble spotting his fastball, and since he can’t hit 90 mph with the pitch, control is his best weapon. But he found himself falling behind and pitching in 3-0 counts, which is unusual.

He had walked just two batters and allowed only one run through his first 14 innings this spring.

Perhaps the fact he was named to the rotation and was simply getting in his work Thursday took a little edge off his mental and physical game.

“I don’t think it’s that, but it very well could be,” he said. “It’s a little bit of a conundrum. I don’t now what was going on.”

Sonnanstine will next pitch April 3 in Baltimore.

Aybar update
Willy Aybar was scheduled to play in a minor league Thursday at the Rays complex, testing his injured left hamstring by leading off every other inning.

Rays manager Joe Maddon didn’t have an update after the game, but said things went well of Aybar while he worked out at Al Lang Field in the morning.

Maddon still expects Aybar to be the Opening Day third baseman March 31 against Baltimore.

More cuts
It’s expected the Rays will make, if not all, than most of their final cuts Friday morning.

There are 37 players still in camp, and they have to trim the roster to 25 by Sunday night.

Still to be determined is the final spot in the bullpen, a move which involves Grant Balfour, Scott Dohmann and possibly J.P. Howell.

Shawn Riggans is expected to be the back-up catcher.

Eric Hinske should make the team as the fifth outfielder.

Elliot Johnson should make the team as the utility infielder.

There’s a chance Joel Guzman could make the team as the backup third and first baseman.

On the bubble in the outfield are Jon Weber and John Rodriguez.

While Mike DiFelice has had a solid camp and is an option at back-up catcher if the Rays want to send Riggans to Triple A Durham so he can play every day.

There is still a possibility the Rays could swing a trade for a right fielder or sign a player released by another team.

Up next
Friday is the final game at Al Lang Field.

Matt Garza will start for the Rays.

There will be a flyover from McDill Air Force Base, posters to the first 6,500 fans, the announcement of the All-Al Lang team and a free post-game barbecue on the field.

This & That
Despite the fact he might not return to the rotation until early May, Rays vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman said he expects Scott Kazmir to pitch 200 innings this or be on that pace when the season ends … Carl Crawford hit his first home run of the spring Thursday against the Indians … Aki Iwamura also homered for the first time this month … Mike DiFelice doubled home Chris Richard in the 10th inning for the go-ahead run as the Rays won the last spring train game ever played at Chain O’Lakes Park … The Rays will conduct their pre-game drills and batting practice at Tropicana Field on Friday and Saturday.